Portable navigation device with wireless interface

ABSTRACT

A portable navigation device (PND) is disclosed comprising processing means, a graphical display, memory, map data stored in said memory, user-input means, and signal reception means for receiving one or more wireless signals by means of which the processor can determine a present location of the device and in conjunction with user input desired destination information, and perform route calculation and subsequent navigation functions, such being performed by software installed on the device. The PND is additionally provided with one or more wireless signal transceivers capable of establishing wireless communications with third party devices or systems having corresponding signal transceivers. In accordance with the invention, the software on said PND is adapted to establish a wireless communication with a third party device being a node having a corresponding wireless signal transceiver and being part of a vehicle controller area network (CAN) consisting of a plurality of nodes, each of said nodes having functionality represented by one or more signals distributed around said controller area network and received by at least said third party device, and further characterized in that said PND software includes one or more routines specific to the functionality of one or more of said nodes so as to effectively communicate with said node and utilize its functionality. Examples of third party devices include hands-free communications modules, gateway nodes, and indeed any vehicle subsystem which provides some function within the vehicle. Further examples include the stereo systems, engine management system, seat position controllers, multifunction steering wheel, dashboard and console displays, integrated navigation systems, and the like. The invention allows the PND either to interrogate the controller area network and retrieve information from one or more devices forming nodes on that network for display on the PND or improved operation thereof, or to cause control or state change of one or more of the devices forming nodes on the controller area network. Voice control of the PND is also possible in the case a voice recognition system is provided within the controller area network, and additionally, the vocal instructions issued by the PND can be caused to be replayed through the car stereo, if such is also connected to the controller area network within the vehicle.

This invention relates to a portable navigation device; in particular,it defines a portable navigation device that can interface wirelesslywith systems in a motor vehicle.

A portable navigation device (‘PND’) is a device that provides routeguidance based on location data derived from satellite signals (e.g. GPSor Galileo) and route finding algorithms running on the device. Thedevice can be readily mounted in, and taken from, a vehicle. It istherefore unlike an embedded navigation device that is installed as partof the factory build of the vehicle and is meant to be a permanentsystem within the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable navigation devices, such as the GO™ and ONE™ devices fromTomTom International B.V., are increasingly popular for in-vehiclenavigation. Embedded in-vehicle navigation systems, by contrast, arefalling in overall market share. There are several reasons for this.First, embedded in-vehicle navigation systems are significantly morecostly for the end-user. Secondly, they generally do not include thelatest technology: when designing a highly complex product such as amotor vehicle, the design of the in-vehicle navigation systems has to befrozen typically 3 years before the vehicle is launched. This is to giveenough time for the complex integration and testing that needs to bedone for a system embedded into a vehicle, and the long lead times ofsetting up manufacturing assembly lines for motor vehicles. So anexpensive motor vehicle, 5 years after launch, may be offered with anembedded navigation system that is at least 8 ears old, and possiblyolder. By contrast, portable navigation devices tend to be updated atleast yearly: new models may have more sensitive GPS chipsets, bettermaps, faster processors, as well as improved functionality such as realtime traffic data. And they are generally far cheaper than embeddednavigation systems.

Portable navigation devices have in the past generally had no ability tointerface with factory installed equipment or systems in the vehicle,such as the embedded factory-fitted vehicle stereo. One limitedexception is that it is possible to connect the TomTom GO wirelessly toa Bluetooth™ interface box that is installed into a vehicle, behind thedashboard, as an after-market accessory (i.e. it is not factory fitted);the interface box is then connected by wires by a skilled installer tothe in-vehicle stereo. One interface product that does this is theTomTom Car Connect™. The TomTom Car Connect system, released on late2006 and hence not necessarily relevant prior art, whilst allowing thePND to wirelessly connect to an interface box, still required theinterface box itself to be professionally installed behind the vehicledashboard. However, take up of this is likely to be quite limitedbecause most ordinary users do not want the trouble or cost ofprofessionally installing a dedicated interface box behind their vehicledashboard for their GO portable navigation device.

Another solution has been used in the Toyota Aygo; this motor vehiclerequired the GO dock to be permanently hard wired to an interface box,in turn hard wired to the radio/speakers of the vehicle. This was doneas part of the factory build. The user could then simply mount the GOonto the dock whenever needed. But again, the cost and trouble ofinstalling a dedicated interface box is considerable. A permanentlyinstalled dock for the portable navigation device can also requireadaptation of the dashboard.

It is however known to provide a wireless interface connected to thein-vehicle stereo to enable mobile telephones to be used in a hands-freemode. The Parrot™ Bluetooth handsfree vehicle kits are well knownexamples. But, as with the TomTom Car Connect™ device, these kitsrequire careful installation, which limits their appeal.

Reference may be made to WO 00/72463, which discloses a wirelesscommunication system for use in a vehicle. It enables notebookscomputers, cellphones, and pagers to communicate over a short rangewireless network with factory-installed subsystems in the vehicle, suchas an on-board navigation system. But, it does not describe enabling aportable navigation device to communicate with the factory installedsubsystems at all. The same can be said of WO 2005/024781; thisdescribes connecting various wireless enabled devices, such as mobilephones, to a voice recognition engine. Although it does describeconnecting a GPS device to the voice recognition engine, the GPS deviceis not described as having any kind of wireless interface; thereasonable inference is that it is an embedded navigation device and nota portable navigation device.

Reference may also be made to US 2006/0140210: this describes anautomotive data bus that enables devices such as cell phones, garagedoor openers etc. to be wirelessly connected to an in-vehicle data busand hence to the factory-fitted items that are connected to that databus, such as the CD player, multi-function steering wheel etc. It doessuggest that an external GPS receiver can be connected to the data bus,but adds that one of the existing devices on the data bus that the GPSreceiver can connect with is a navigation system. This disclosure henceappears to contemplate being able to enhance the performance of afactory-fitted, embedded navigation system by connecting it to anexternal GPS receiver over the data bus. Again, this document does notdeal with interfacing a portable navigation device to the factory fittedsystems of a motor vehicle.

In US 2002/0140548, an in-vehicle wireless network is described; the GPSnavigation system is not a portable navigation device but an embeddeddevice built into the trunk. US 2004/0133319 describes how a portabledigital assistant with no navigation capability can be used to interfacewith systems in a vehicle, and again does not relate to a portablenavigation device. US 2003/0212485 also deals with enabling a portablecomputing device, which is explicitly distinguished from autonomousroute guidance systems like portable navigation devices, to interfacewith vehicle systems. In WO00/74019, a PDA is linked to an embeddednavigation system.

US2003/0114980 discloses a method and system for a wireless interface tothe electronics of an automotive vehicle for a remote application in thevehicle or within communication range of the vehicle. The remoteapplication may be a navigation system using vehicle motion sensor datato provide or improve a navigation solution for the vehicle. In analternative embodiment, the remote application is diagnostic softwarerunning on a handheld computer that evaluates vehicle systems in adiagnostics procedure. This document also describes a system fornavigating a vehicle including a vehicle sensor connected to a vehiclebus connected to a gateway node, and a processor in the vehiclecommunicating wirelessly with the gateway node and connected to avehicle positioning system. The sensor measures a value and thentransmits the value over the vehicle bus to the gateway node using anetwork protocol. The gateway node then wirelessly transmits the valueto the processor using a wireless communication protocol. The processorreceives an initial position from the positioning device and calculatesa current position using a former position, the initial position, andthe sensor value. A protocol translation device is disclosed that mayinclude two different protocols and an intermediate, network-independentprotocol. In one embodiment of the invention, an emerging worldwidestandard, Bluetooth, created by the Wireless Personal Area Network(WPAN) Working Group (IEEE 802.15), provides a wireless interface to theelectronics in the vehicle via a Controller Area Network (CAN). CAN isan international standard documented in ISO 11898 (for high-speedapplications) and ISO 11519 (for lower-speed applications). A remoteapplication, such as a navigation system or a hand-held computer runningnavigation software, can connect to this interface via a host inside thevehicle or within communication range of the vehicle.

Additionally, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/687,181 describes asystem for providing short-range wireless access to data on vehiclebuses and data in the memory of electronic control units (ECUs) via awireless link. This application discusses interfacing a CAN (ControllerArea Network) protocol on the vehicle bus communicating with a gatewaynode and Bluetooth hardware set.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is as described in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a vehicle data transfer network and of deviceswhich may communicate via the data transfer network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will be described with reference to animplementation of a portable navigation device that can be used in amotor vehicle. The PND implementation includes a number of key features:

The PND is adapted to interface with a data bus that is factoryinstalled in a motor vehicle and that transmits data between factoryinstalled subsystems of the vehicle.

The PND is adapted to exchange data with a data bus factory installed ina motor vehicle, in which the device is automatically sent informationover the data bus and that information is used in route guidance by thedevice.

The PND is adapted to interface with an interactive voice recognitionsubsystem that is in communication with a factory installed data bus ina motor vehicle and which enables hands free calling, the voicerecognition subsystem processing voice navigation instructions from auser.

The PND is adapted to generate voice guidance instructions and to senddata encoding those instructions over an open, standards based audiostreaming protocol, via a factory installed vehicle data bus, to acommunications module/subsystem that is factory installed in a motorvehicle to enable the voice guidance to be output from speakers that arealso factory installed in the motor vehicle

The PND is adapted to be automatically customised to a given user whenthat user uniquely identifies himself or herself by using a function ofan embedded, factory fitted subsystem of a motor vehicle incommunication with a factory installed data bus.

The PND is adapted to connect with a factory installed data bus in avehicle and to provide a touch screen operable to display controls ormenu items that enable a user to select, control or receive and/ordisplay information from a factory installed subsystem that is alsoconnected to the data bus.

An example of an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. Thesystem of FIG. 1 is present in or on a vehicle. The vehicle may be anautomobile, a van, a truck, a motorbike, a vehicular bus or coach, amobile home, a recreational vehicle, a tank, an armoured personnelcarrier, an off-road vehicle, a ship, a boat or any other kind of knownmotor vehicle. In FIG. 1 the portable navigation device 11 is connectedvia a short range wireless connection 17, such as Bluetooth™, to networkdata bus 12. Wireless connection 17 may comprise a connection throughwhich the portable navigation device 11 is able to send or receive datavia a module which is connected to the network data bus 12; the moduleis factory installed hands free module (HFM) 102, for example, oranother kind of interface box or unit. The module 102 is provided withan appropriate wireless signal transceiver so as to be capable ofestablishing a communication with the PND 11 and additionally, thedevice 102 will be provided with some means of translating betweensignals proprietary to the PND 11 and signals proprietary to data bus12. The module 102 need not be a HFM and indeed may be any of the moreconventional devices provided in the vehicle, enhanced by the additionof a wireless transceiver and a protocol translation facility. Furtherexamples include the stereo system head unit within the car, a voicerecognition engine, or a vehicle engine or system management controller.Said module 102 thus effectively acts as a gateway and protocoltranslator between the PND 11 and the vehicle data bus 12, said HFMeffectively converting signals in one type of proprietary format, thatis of the vehicle data bus 12, to those of a second type recognizable bythe PND, and vice versa, so as to create effective two-way communicationbetween the PND and the vehicle data bus and the controller area networkin general.

Devices 13, 14 and 15 are also connected via wireless connections to thedata bus 12. Devices 16, 100, 101, 104 and 105 are connected to the databus 12 via non-wireless connections which could be electricalconnections, for example. 18 is an example of a wireless connection. 19is an example of a non-wireless connection. Examples of devices 13, 14and 15 are a garage door opener, a security gate opening and closingdevice and a device which enables connection to the internet,respectively. Examples of devices 16, 100, 101, 104 and 105 are a foglight, an on-board computer, a vehicle audio and speaker system, a voicerecognition interface and system, and a fuel level sensor in a fueltank, respectively. An example of network bus 12 is a CAN bus, with thedevices 13, 14, 15, 16, 100, 101, 104, 105 being generically termedsubsystems or nodes under the control of said bus 12. Many otherexamples of embodiments of the invention will be evident to thoseskilled in the art. FIG. 1 shows that apart from the portable navigationdevice 11, three other devices 13, 14 and 15 are connected wirelessly tothe network data bus 12, and five other devices 16, 100, 101, 104 and105 are connected to the network data bus 12 via non-wirelessconnections, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that anynumber of devices may be connected to network data bus 12 throughwireless or non-wireless connections.

Furthermore it is to be mentioned that the controller area network (CAN)comprises both the bus 12 and the various nodes connected thereto. InFIG. 1, the topology of the network is a star topology, but othertopologies are possible, in particular a ring, mesh, tree, line or fullyconnected topologies are possible and contemplated within thisinvention.

Here is an example of the effects which may be realized by theembodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1. A driver of a vehicle inwhich the system shown in FIG. 1 is present approaches his home which isprotected by a security gate. The portable navigation device 11recognizes that the vehicle's position and trajectory and determine thatit is a short time from arriving at the destination security gate. Theportable navigation device 11 instructs the security gate opening andclosing device 14 through bus 12 to open the security gate. When theportable navigation device 11 recognizes that the vehicle's position andtrajectory mean that it has passed through the security gate, theportable navigation device 11 instructs the security gate opening andclosing device 14 through bus 12 to close the security gate. Theportable navigation device 11 then instructs the garage door opener 13through bus 12 to open the garage door. Note these opening and closingoperations are achieved without the driver having to issue any verbalinstructions or press any buttons. Some vehicle drivers may find thisreduction in exertion to be of benefit. The above functions will havebeen set up using a menu on the portable navigation device 11 whichenables the relevant data packets to be transmitted to the relevantdevices as the vehicle arrives within a defined distance of a particularmap location, such as the location of the security gate at the entranceto the driver's home.

A further example of an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 isof a driver in her vehicle in which the system shown in FIG. 1 ispresent. The vehicle is in motion and is shortly about to enter astretch of the journey where visibility is poor due to fog and it wouldbe safety enhancing if the vehicle fog light were switched on. Atsuitable times the portable navigation device 11 searches the internetvia device 15 for data on which regions in the country are considered tohave levels of fog which pose a hazard to drivers. Such data could beprovided by a national meteorological office, for example. Based on theposition of the vehicle and its intended journey as known by theportable navigation device 11, the portable navigation device 11 turnson the fog light 16 through bus 12 shortly before the vehicle enters thearea which is forecast to have fog. The portable navigation device 11turns off the fog light 16 through bus 12 shortly after the vehicleexits the area which is forecast to have fog. The greater the number ofvehicles in which connectivity is implemented to allow illumination offog lights as a result of a decision taken by the portable navigationdevice 11 based on information which can be obtained from the internetused in conjunction with information which is known by a portablenavigation device 11, the greater will be the contribution to improvedroad safety. Advantageously, such connectivity reduces the risk thatdrivers with a low level of alertness or with a low level of safetyawareness will be responsible for causing traffic accidents due to thelack of use of fog lights, for example. Advantageously, some multiplevehicle pileups on busy roads in foggy weather may thereby be avoided,for example, which would be of benefit to the individuals who would havebeen inconvenienced by such events.

A further example of an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 isof a driver in her vehicle in which the system shown in FIG. 1 ispresent. The vehicle is in motion but is currently on a journey pathwhich will take it through a place where traffic congestion has recentlyarisen, such as due to a recent traffic accident. At suitable times theportable navigation device 11 searches the internet via device 15 fordata on places where congestion has recently arisen. Alternatively,traffic data could be sent to the device using some other mechanism(e.g. the device could itself have a communications capability, such asan internal GPRS or GSM chipset; the device could connect to a nearbymobile telephone over the local piconet, and the phone could thenconnect to a remote traffic data server. In any event, such data couldbe provided by an internet data provision service on a subscriptionbasis, for example. Such data could also be used in planning the journeyprior to departure, for example. Based on the position of the vehicleand its intended journey as known by the portable navigation device 11,the portable navigation device 11 searches for the optimal route underthe new circumstances. If the optimal route differs from the originallyplanned route, the portable navigation device 11 advises the driverthrough the portable navigation device 11 screen and/or through thevehicle speakers 101 that the originally planned route is now no longeroptimal, and requests permission to switch to a new route which isoptimal under the new circumstances. The driver may accept or declinethe request, such as by using the touch screen of the portablenavigation device 11 or by issuing a verbal command which is processedby voice recognition interface and system 104. The driver of the vehiclemay benefit from a reduced journey time if connectivity is implementedto allow a change in the previously selected vehicle route as a resultof a decision taken by the vehicle driver after being offered the choiceof a new route by a portable navigation device 11 based on informationwhich can be obtained from the internet used in conjunction withinformation which is known by a portable navigation device 11.

A further example of an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 isof a driver in her vehicle in which the system shown in FIG. 1 ispresent. Prior to departure, the temperature outside the vehicle ismeasured to see if there may exist a hazard. The portable navigationdevice 11 may obtain temperature data via the network data bus 12 from athermometer on the vehicle or from a device which enables connection tothe internet 15. For example, if the temperature is below or near to thefreezing point of water, the portable navigation device 11 may offer thedriver the option of selecting a route which is considered to be saferon the basis that there is a reduced probability of encountering patchesof ice on the road in the course of using such a route. Alternatively,on the basis of the temperature data, the portable navigation device 11may report an increased estimated journey time because slower drivingspeeds are advisable if the road may contain patches of ice.Alternatively the temperature data measured at the vehicle position maybe reported by the portable navigation device 11 via the network databus 12 to a server, such as via a device which enables connection to theinternet 15.

A further example of an embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1is as follows. The interface between the portable navigation device 11and the network bus 12 is a short range wireless link 17 such as aBluetooth™ link. The operation of the interface between the portablenavigation device 11 and the network bus 12, such as setting up orshutting down the interface, may be controlled by a user, who maycontrol the interface by interacting with menu items shown on theportable navigation device screen. The interface may use the advancedaudio distribution profile (A2DP) to stream audio for distribution toone or more devices connected to the network bus 12, for example a hi-fior stereo subsystem including loudspeakers for audible musicreproduction, such being digitally achieved by the PND 11. The streamedaudio may be in the form of MP3 files, or some other known format. Thenetwork bus 12 may be a controller area network (CAN) bus. The vehicledriver selects the journey destination using the portable navigationdevice 11, and the portable navigation device 11 generates a plannedroute for the journey. Based on the journey progress, the portablenavigation device 11 sends voice navigation instructions which aretransmitted in data packet form to the network bus 12. The network bus12 may also supply these instructions for display on the vehicledashboard. The network bus 12 then supplies these instructions to thein-vehicle speakers 101. An advantage of the invention is that thedriver may then perform navigational actions, such as turning thevehicle left or right when required, without the need to consult theportable navigation device 11 screen: consulting the screen may beinconvenient upon occasions such as when there is a great deal oftraffic on the road.

A further example of an embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1is as follows. Voice navigation instructions from a user, such as “Roadahead blocked. Find alternative route,” are processed by an on-boardvoice recognition interface and system 104. The on-board voicerecognition interface and system 104 recognizes the command aspertaining to a function which is performed by the portable navigationdevice 11. The voice recognition interface and system 104 then sends aninstruction to the portable navigation device 11 via the network bus 12to perform the required task. It will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art that any available function of the portable navigation device 11may be accessed by a user through issuing a suitable verbal instructionto the voice recognition interface and system 104. For example,functions of the portable navigation device 11 may include performing aslideshow of stored images, changing the screen mode to a navigationmode, disabling recognition of verbal instructions, enabling recognitionof verbal instructions, disabling navigation instructions which are sentvia the in-vehicle speakers 101, enabling navigation instructions whichare sent via the in-vehicle speakers 101, activating a day mode of thedevice, activating a night mode of the device, zoom in to a map, zoomout from a map, showing points of interest in the vicinity of thevehicle, not showing points of interest in the vicinity of the vehicle,performing handsfree telephone calling, or any known function of theportable navigation device 11. In a video mode, the portable navigationdevice 11 may stream video data to the network bus 12 for storage in adata storage medium or for display on a display screen in the vehicle.The portable navigation device 11 can be adapted to dock with aninternet connected PC (the TomTom Home™ service enables this); moviescan hence be readily transferred from the PC to the device 11; thedevice 11 can then be taken to the vehicle and different movies can thenbe readily streamed to the in-vehicle entertainment system (which mayhave display screens for all passengers). This approach enables moviesto be viewed in a car without the need to purchase and load a DVD intothe in-vehicle entertainment system: as internet distribution of movies(and any other kind of video content; we will refer to them genericallyas ‘movies’) becomes the norm, being able to use movies alreadydownloaded to your home PC in your vehicle will become very important:but even the most modem vehicle today is unable to download a moviedirectly from the internet; it will be many years before cars haveembedded systems that enable them to do so. But with thisimplementation, the PND itself becomes the carrier and mechanism toallow current generation in-vehicle entertainment systems to show moviesdownloaded to a domestic PC. Likewise, where movies are distributed onportable memory media, it is far quicker and easier to modify a PND toread that media and stream the content out than it is to modify anembedded system.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that in order for theportable navigation device 11 to interact successfully with the voicerecognition interface and system 104, the voice recognition interfaceand system 104 should be programmed to identify commands which areintended for the portable navigation device 11. During the vehiclemanufacturing process the voice recognition interface and system 104 maybe programmed to identify verbal commands which are intended for theportable navigation device 11. Alternatively, the voice recognitioninterface and system 104 may have software which enables a set ofcommands and their respective voice signatures represented in some dataformat to be downloaded from the portable navigation device 11 to thevoice recognition interface and system 104 when the portable navigationdevice 11 and the voice recognition interface and system 104 are firstin communication. If the portable navigation device 11 is upgraded withadditional features, the full set of commands and their respective voicesignatures or the additional set of commands and their respective voicesignatures will be downloaded from the portable navigation device 11 tothe voice recognition interface and system 104 when the portablenavigation device 11 signals to the voice recognition interface andsystem 104 that a feature upgrade has taken place. In a furtheralternative, after the portable navigation device 11 model number istransmitted by the portable navigation device 11 to the voicerecognition interface and system 104, or the portable navigation device11 model number is supplied to the voice recognition interface andsystem 104 by data entry at some data entry point, the voice recognitioninterface and system 104 may download the data incorporating the set ofcommands and their respective voice signatures represented in some dataformat via the network bus 12 from an internet site using device 15 orfrom a local area network, where the data transmission method iswireless or non-wireless such as via a USB connector, a FireWireconnector or any other desired interface, after supplying the internetsite or the local area network with the portable navigation device 11model number. The data on the internet site, or on the local areanetwork, may be maintained by the manufacturer of the portablenavigation device 11, or by the manufacturer of the voice recognitioninterface and system 104, or by cooperation between both manufacturers.

A further example of an embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1is as follows. The volume of fuel remaining in the vehicle is calculatedby the on-board computer 100 based on data obtained via the network databus 12 from a fuel tank sensor 105. The data on volume of fuel remainingin the vehicle is accessed from the on-board computer 100 by theportable navigation device 11 via the network data bus 12. Based on thejourney selected, the portable navigation device 11 calculates thevolume of fuel required to complete the journey. Factors which may betaken into consideration in performing such a calculation include theforecast travel speed on the roads or waterways in the journey, thedegree of congestion on the roads or waterways in the journey based onfactors such as the time during the day and the day of the week of theintended journey, the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, where the fuelefficiency may be a factor that is supplied by the on-board computer 100or which may be derived from the recent data on fuel consumed anddistance travelled, and the forecast road or waterway conditions such asif the roads are likely to be wet or dry, or if the water on waterway islikely to be rough or calm. If the forecast fraction of the volume ofthe fuel tank which will contain fuel at the end of the journey is lessthan some pre-selected amount, such as 20%, then a warning message maybe given, such as on the portable navigation device 11 display or viathe vehicles speakers 101. Such a message may be similar to “Forecastremaining fuel volume at the end of the journey is eleven percent.” Ifthe forecast is that the fuel present will be insufficient for thejourney, a warning message may be given, such as on the portablenavigation device 11 display or via the vehicle's speakers 101. Such amessage may be similar to “Present fuel is forecast to run out after 57%of your journey distance.” A series of options could be offered by theportable navigation device 11 such as a revised route where one passesby the nearest fuel station to the journey start point, a revised routewhich enables one to fill up with fuel with the minimum deviation fromthe originally planned route, a route which enables one to fill up withfuel as far as possible into the originally planned route withoutrunning out of fuel, or an unchanged route. The options could be offeredon the portable navigation device 11 display or via the vehicle'sspeakers 101, or both; the preferred option could be selected via theportable navigation device 11 touch screen or by a verbal command whichis processed by the vehicle's voice recognition interface and system104. Once the option is selected, the selected option may be confirmedby being briefly displayed on the portable navigation device 11 displayor by announcement via the vehicle's speakers 101, or both. A simplerembodiment of the above would be to alert the driver during the journeyif the volume of the fuel tank which contains fuel falls below somepre-selected amount, such as 20%, and to allow the driver thepossibility of selecting a revised journey route in order to reach anearby fuel station. Possible advantages of this embodiment of theinvention are that it may enable the vehicle to reduce or to minimizethe number of visits to fuel stations required during the life of thevehicle, thereby reducing time wasted, or to reduce or to minimize thedistance travelled to fuel stations during the life of the vehicle,thereby reducing fuel wasted in travelling to fuel stations.

A further example of an embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1is as follows. Performance indices relating to the performance of thevehicle are calculated by the on-board computer 100 based on dataobtained via the network data bus 12 from sensors in the vehicle, suchthe fuel tank sensor 105, amongst others. Such performance indices mightrelate to the vehicle fuel efficiency, the engine temperature, the oilpressure variation rate, the number of engine revolutions per minute,the current flowing from the vehicle battery, the vehicle batteryvoltage, or the water level, for example. If any performance indexrelating to the performance of the vehicle calculated by the on-boardcomputer 100 falls outside a range of acceptable values, or is varyingat a rate which falls outside a range of acceptable values, an alert maybe given, such as on the portable navigation device 11 display or viathe vehicle's speakers 101. A series of options could be offered by theportable navigation device 11 such as a revised route where one passesby the nearest vehicle service station to the journey start point, arevised route which enables one to visit a vehicle service station withthe minimum deviation from the originally planned route, a route whichenables one to visit a vehicle service station as far as possible intothe originally planned route before the extrapolated value of aperformance index will be in a range which gives grounds for seriousconcern, or an unchanged route. The options could be offered on theportable navigation device 11 display or via the vehicle's speakers 101,or both; the preferred option could be selected via the portablenavigation device 11 touch screen or by a verbal command which isprocessed by the vehicle's voice recognition interface and system 104.Once the option is selected, the selected option may be confirmed bybeing briefly displayed on the portable navigation device 11 display orby announcement via the vehicle's speakers 101, or both. An advantage ofthis embodiment of the invention is that it may enable a problem withthe vehicle to be rectified by a vehicle service station or by a user ofthe vehicle before it turns into a more serious problem.

A further example of an embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1is as follows. If the portable navigation device 11 is unable to receivea signal from the global positioning system, the portable navigationdevice 11 may be able to estimate the vehicle position through the useof vehicle speed and direction data accessed via the network data bus12. Direction data could be accessible from a gyroscope or from acompass, for example.

A further example of an embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1is as follows. The portable navigation device 11 may be used to importdata files, such as audio data files or video data files, from outsidethe vehicle for use in the vehicle. The portable navigation device 11may be removed from the vehicle and taken to another environment such asthe home environment. In the home environment, the portable navigationdevice 11 may receive certain files such as audio data or video datafiles, via a wireless connection or via a non-wireless connection. Whenthe portable navigation device 11 is returned to the vehicle, the audioor video data files may be used to play preferred music in the car, orto show a movie on an in-car screen, for example. These files may bestreamed via the network data bus 12.

A further example of an embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1is as follows. A state body with legal authority may interface with theportable navigation device 11, such as via the network data bus 12 andthe internet connection 15, or through a mobile communicationsconnection. Upon determining the vehicle's position by using dataobtained from the portable navigation device 11, the state body withlegal authority may take a variety of actions. For example, if thevehicle is in an area with significant fog levels, the state body withlegal authority may turn on the vehicle's fog lights by issuing anappropriate command to the network data bus 12. Upon calculating thevehicle's speed using a series of position readings obtained from theportable navigation device 11 and with reference to a clock, a speedingticket may be issued by the state body with legal authority if the speedlimit has been exceeded by the vehicle. Upon obtaining a unique vehicleidentification signature, such as a chassis number, from data obtainedfrom the network data bus 12, data obtained from the portable navigationdevice 11 with regard to the vehicle's position and with reference to aclock, a journey pricing system may be operated by the state body withlegal authority such as by debiting a bank account which is associatedwith the vehicle based on the travel performed by the vehicle.

A further example of an embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1is as follows. It may be more practical to achieve an upgrade to thevehicular electronic systems as a whole, including those items whichhave been post-factory installed such as a portable navigation device11, if the upgrade is achieved via an upgrade to the portable navigationdevice 11 rather than as an upgrade to some other part of the vehicularelectronic systems. For example, added functionality for the portablenavigation device 11, which involves improved exploitation of dataavailable through the network data bus 12, may be generated by newsoftware. Such software could be installed in the portable navigationdevice 11 by a device which interfaces with the network data bus 12, orfrom a local area network or internet site which interfaces with thenetwork data bus 12. Such an upgrade capability may be of benefit to theportable navigation device 11 manufacturer, as it may mean that aportable navigation device 11 may be released for sale, with plannedsoftware upgrades which enable enhanced vehicular electronic systemsfunctionality to be made in the future, rather than having to write andrelease for sale all software prior to portable navigation device 11product release.

A further example of an embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1is as follows. Various devices within the vehicle may be configuredaccording to parameters which are stored with respect to a defined userprofile denoted by a unique user number or a unique user name, where theuser is a user of the vehicle. For example, vehicle user profile “Fred”may comprise the driver seat being set at a distance of 10 cm from itsclosest distance of approach to the driver pedals, the driver seat backtilted at 10 degrees from the vertical in the direction opposite to thatof the windscreen, the seat base tilted towards the driver pedals by 5degrees from the horizontal, the radio set to FM frequency 89.0 MHz atvolume level seven, and the air flow temperature set to 20 degreesCelsius, at the minimum non-zero air flow rate, for all air emittingapertures in the vehicle cabin. For example, the vehicle user profile“Fred” may have been configured using an in-vehicle data entry and datarecordation system, or it may have been configured by data entry at theportable navigation device 11, where the portable navigation device 11is able to access the vehicle data entry and recording system via thenetwork data bus 12. A user of the portable navigation device 11 may beable to configure the portable navigation device 11 according to a userprofile denoted by a unique user number or a unique user name, where theuser is a user of the portable navigation device 11. A user profile forthe portable navigation device 11 may enable the user to recordparameters such as the preferred level of portable navigation devicescreen brightness, a preference for routes comprising express roads overroutes comprising non-express roads, a preference for routes comprisingtoll roads over routes comprising non-toll roads, a preferred zoom levelfor map display, a preferred map colour scheme, a preferred instructionvoice, a set of preferred destinations, and a preferred welcomegreeting, for example. The user profile for the portable navigationdevice 11 may allow the user to enter a set of parameters which indicatethe required settings for various devices within the vehicle, where theportable navigation device 11 is able to access the vehicle data entryand recording system via the network data bus 12. Alternatively, theuser profile for the portable navigation device 11 may allow the user toselect a user profile for the vehicle which is to be used in conjunctionwith the user profile for the portable navigation device 11, where theportable navigation device 11 is able to access the vehicle data entryand recording system via the network data bus 12. For example, userprofile “Fred” for the portable navigation device 11 may be set up so asto include vehicle user profile “Fred” for the in-vehicle devicesettings. A particularly preferred method for recording theconfiguration of the vehicle and of the portable navigation device 11according to parameters which are thereby stored with respect to adefined user profile denoted by a unique user number or a unique username, where the user is a user of the vehicle and of the portablenavigation device 11, is as follows. The user sets the vehicleparameters and the portable navigation device 11 parameters to thepreferred state. This could include, for example, adjusting the driverseat to its preferred position, adjusting the vehicle mirrors to theirpreferred positions, selecting vehicle sport mode when the vehicleenters a road with a high speed limit, tuning the radio to the preferredstation, setting the audio system 101 to the preferred volume, andsetting the portable navigation device 11 to the preferred map colourscheme. The user then selects a function on the portable navigationdevice 11, such as through the touch screen or through the vehicle'svoice recognition interface and system 104, which is the function forrecording a new user profile or an updated user profile. Performing thefunction may require the entry of a personal identification number, orpassing some other security procedure. It is possible that the functioncould be selected in some other way, such as through pressing a buttonin or on the vehicle or on a key fob, for example. Under the userprofile name or user profile number defined by the user, the portablenavigation device 11 then records its internal parameters, as well asthe parameters of the vehicle, where the parameters of the vehicle aredetermined via network data bus 12 by accessing device parametersettings data stored in the on-board computer 100, or by interrogatingthe various devices connected to the network data bus 12 to determinetheir parameter settings. The defined user profile for the portablenavigation device 11 and for the vehicle may be used to enable theparameters for the portable navigation device 11 and for the vehicle tobe adjusted to their preset values when a given user selects their userprofile, such as via a menu item on the portable navigation device 11touch screen. Alternatively, the preferred internal parameters of theportable navigation device 11 and of the vehicle may be stored in theon-board computer 100; on selecting a defined user name or number, suchas by pressing an appropriate button in the vehicle, the on-boardcomputer 100 then sets up the required parameters of the vehicle and ofthe portable navigation device 11 by sending instructions over thenetwork data bus 12. It is preferred that editing a particular profilemay only be done after that profile has been selected by the vehicleuser. It is preferred that it should be possible to delete a userprofile if that is desired. It is preferred that when a vehicle isstarted after some period of non-use, the most recently utilised userprofile is automatically selected by the vehicle.

A further example of an embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1is as follows. The portable navigation device 11 has a menu option whichallows telephone numbers to be stored in the device memory. The portablenavigation device 11 has a further menu option which allows the user toinitiate a call to a telephone number which is stored in the portablenavigation device 11 memory, or to a telephone number which may beentered prior to calling. User interaction with the portable navigationdevice 11 may be via the touch screen or via the vehicle's voicerecognition interface and system 104, for example. When the user selectsthe portable navigation device 11 option in order to make a call, andhas specified the telephone number, the portable navigation device 11communicates via the network data bus 12 with a device with mobile phonecapability, where the device with mobile phone capability is connectedto the network data bus 12. After the telephone number has been dialedby the device with mobile phone capability, a communication to thiseffect is sent to the portable navigation device 11 to enable theportable navigation device 11 to inform the user as such. If the call isanswered, a communication to this effect is sent to the portablenavigation device 11 to enable the portable navigation device 11 toinform the user as such. The call may proceed by the call recipient'sspeech being transmitted through the vehicle audio system 101, while thevehicle driver's speech is recorded by the vehicle's voice recognitioninterface and system 104 and transmitted to the call recipient via thedevice with mobile phone capability. The call may be terminated by thevehicle driver touching the relevant menu item on the portablenavigation device 11 touch screen, for example. Incoming calls may leadto a message such as “Incoming call” being displayed on the portablenavigation device 11 touch screen and/or being announced over thevehicle audio system 101. The call may be accepted or rejected by thevehicle driver touching the relevant menu item on the portablenavigation device 11 touch screen, for example. If the incoming call isaccepted by the vehicle driver, the call may subsequently be terminatedby the vehicle driver by touching the relevant menu item on the portablenavigation device 11 touch screen, for example.

Other embodiments of the invention enable the transmission and receiptof information packets to and from a network data bus that providesconnectivity between a portable navigation device which is not on thenetwork data bus and a set of one or more other devices which may all beon the network data bus, or may all not be on the network data bus, orsome of which may be on the network data bus, with the remaining otherdevices not being on the network data bus. A device is defined as beingon a network data bus if it is connected to the data bus by a set ofelectrical conductors such as by a set of wires or cables, or by one ormore optical fibres or by a set of data transmitting media such thatinformation packets may be transmitted and received between the deviceand the data bus via the media.

A device is defined as being connected to the data bus and not on thedata bus if information packets may be transmitted and received betweenthe device and the data bus in some manner such as involving thetransmission and reception of electromagnetic waves such as radio waves,micro-waves, infra-red waves, ultra-violet waves or optically visibleradiation while the device and the data bus are not connectedelectrically or through an optical fibre or through any othernon-wireless data transmitting medium. An intermediary communicationdevice such as a hands free module may be present to enablecommunication between the portable navigation device and the networkdata bus.

Devices which may or may not be on a network data bus but which may beconnected to a network data bus include but are not limited to a handsfree module, a hands free telephone module, a speech recognitioninterface and system, a cell phone, a garage door opener, a radardetector, a digital music player, an alarm system, a stereo, a portablecomputer, a portable digital assistant, a digital camera, a videocamera, a device enabling connection to the internet, a compact discplayer, a security gate opening and closing device or any otherelectronic device. Devices which may be on a network data bus includemulti information display buttons, a menu screen, multi-functionsteering wheel buttons, a parking distance control, a radio, a digitalmusic system, a digital sound processor, instrument control electronics,a light control module, a telephone, an integrated liquid crystaldisplay, an on-board computer, an on-board computer text bar, externalvehicle lights, vehicle cabin lights, wipers, seat positioning systems,a seat position-recording memory system, a speedometer, a meter torecord distance travelled, a vehicle active suspension system, an enginerevolutions per minute counter, a handbrake sensor, a vehicle turningindicator light control system, a vehicle turning mechanism which mayinclude a steering wheel or handlebar, an oil pressure sensor, one ormore fog lights, a door opening and closing mechanism, a storage spaceopening and closing mechanism, a window opening and closing mechanism,an air flow control system, an air conditioning unit, a thermometer, andany other device originally installed in a vehicle or which may beinstalled in a vehicle post manufacture.

The portable navigation device may be adapted to be secured to theinside of the cabin of the motor vehicle, or to some other part of thevehicle such as the handlebars in the case of a motorbike or a bicycle,but to be readily capable of removal if desired. The portable navigationdevice may be a handheld one piece unit, as described in WO 2005/088254,the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

The portable navigation device may include a touch-sensitive screen. Theportable navigation device may transmit and receive data packets whichconform to the communications protocol of the network data bus.Alternatively the portable navigation device may transmit and receivedata packets via a suitable intermediary device between the portablenavigation device and the network data bus, for example the HFM 102,said intermediary device converting data to or from the communicationsprotocol of the portable navigation device from or to the communicationsprotocol of the network data bus, respectively. Any device which is noton the network data bus but which is connected to the network data busor in direct or indirect communication therewith, may also utilize asuitable intermediary device in order to effect conversion betweendifferent communications protocol standards. In converting betweendifferent communications protocol standards, the intermediary device mayutilize a microprocessor in order to convert between differentcommunications protocol standards. Conversion may be achieved in realtime or in an approximation to real time.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a vehicle maynot possess a single data bus, but may instead possess a plurality ofdata buses which are interconnected to permit data flow between the databuses. But where a vehicle possesses a plurality of data buses which areinterconnected, the data buses can generally be considered to be asingle data bus for the purposes of this invention. The term “data bus”as used herein includes one or more data buses. Vehicular data busescomprise a communications protocol and a physical layer upon which datapackets are transmitted. Existing vehicular data buses include acontroller area network (CAN) bus, SAE J1850 bus, MOST bus, byteflight,OBDII, FlexRay, D2B, SMARTwireX, IDB-1394, IEBus, Intellibus, LIN bus,among others.

For cases in which a device is connected to the data bus but is not onthe data bus, information packets may be transmitted and receivedbetween the device and the data bus in some manner such as by wirelesstransmission and reception. An example of a wireless transmission andreception standard is Bluetooth™.

If audio data is streamed between the portable navigation device and thenetwork data bus, the audio data may be streamed in the form of MP3audio files, or audio files of any known format.

Where the vehicle includes a speech recognition interface and system, itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the device whichreceives sound waves, such as a microphone, may be mounted anywhere inthe vehicle, such as on the dashboard or on the steering wheel, or itmay be mounted on a device such as a set of headphones. Likewise, ifsound waves are to be transmitted to the vehicle driver or occupants, itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this may beaccomplished via the vehicle speakers, or via an earpiece which formspart of a set of headphones, for example. Many systems within a vehiclemay form part of the controller area network, or be in communicationtherewith, examples including a vehicle man machine interface (MMI)system, a vehicle radio, CD, or DVD player, a vehicle ventilation or ACsystem, a vehicle diagnostics, service or error reporting system, avehicle trip computer, a lane departure warning system, a park distancecontrol system, a cruise control system, a suspension mode controlsystem, central locking system, a seat preset system, a mirrorpositioning system, a vehicle gearbox, an engine management system. Ofcourse, the PND may include one or more routines specific to thesesystems so as to interact with and control them, or receive pertinentinformation from them so as to enhance the operation of the PND, itscalculation or navigation functions, or simply to provide a simple meansof providing more information to the user regarding their operation.

1. A personal navigation device (PND) comprising: a processor; agraphical display; memory including map data stored in said memory;user-input device; signal reception device to receive one or morewireless signals by which a present location of the PND is determinableby the processor, in conjunction with user input, desired destinationinformation, the processor being further capable of performing routecalculation and subsequent navigation functions, wherein the locationdetermination, route calculation and navigation functions performed bysoftware installed on the PND; and one or more wireless signaltransceivers capable of establishing wireless communications with thirdparty devices or systems having corresponding signal transceivers, thesoftware on said PND being adapted to establish wireless communicationwith a third party device being a node having a corresponding wirelesssignal transceiver and being part of a vehicle controller area networkincluding a plurality of nodes, each of said nodes having functionalityrepresented by one or more signals distributed around said controllerarea network and received by at least said third party device, said PNDsoftware further including one or more routines specific to thefunctionality of one or more of said nodes so as to effectivelycommunicate with said node and utilize its functionality.
 2. A PNDaccording to claim 1 wherein one of the routines is a vehicle fuel levelmeasurement routine.
 3. A PND according to claim 2 wherein the routecalculation function thereof interacts with the vehicle fuel levelmeasurement routine to provide a modified calculated route based on thefuel remaining in the vehicle.
 4. A PND according to claim 1, whereinthe third party device is a gateway module effecting a protocoltranslation between that used on said controller area network and thatused in the wireless communication with said PND.
 5. A PND according toclaim 1, wherein one routine is specific to a hands free module (HFM)being a node on the controller area network, said routine effectivelycommunicating with said HFM to both receive and act on signalsrepresentative of navigation-specific user spoken commands recognizedand processed by said HFM, and to transmit audio data from said PND tosaid HFM.
 6. A PND according to claim 5 wherein the audio datatransmitted by the PND to the HFM are voice navigation instructionsgenerated by the PND, and the HFM causes audible broadcast of suchinstructions by one or more in-vehicle speakers to which appropriateaudio signals are deliverable by the HFM.
 7. A PND according to claim 1,wherein one routine is specific to an audio reproduction system being anode on the controller area network, said routine effectivelycommunicating with said audio reproduction system to allow for thetransmission of audio data from said PND thereto for audio playbacktherethrough.
 8. A PND according to claim 7, wherein the transmission ofaudio data over the wireless communication is achieved by way of theA2DP streaming protocol.
 9. A PND according to claim 1, wherein thewireless communication is a short range wireless link.
 10. A PND ofclaim 1, wherein one routine is specific to a voice recognition enginebeing a node on the controller area network and capable of recognizingPND-specific verbal instructions and conversion thereof into signalsdistributed on said controller area network, said routine recognizinginterpreting said signals as PND-specific instructions and causing analteration in the current operation of said PND.
 11. The portablenavigation device of the claim 10, wherein the routine is capable ofinterpreting signals representative of one or more of the followingcommands: start slideshow mode; change the current view to a navigationmode screen; mute voice guidance; unmute voice guidance; activate daymode; activate night mode; zoom in to a map; zoom out of a map; showpre-selected points of interest POIs; and hide POIs
 12. The PND of claim1, wherein one routine is specific to a video display device being anode on the controller area network, said routine enabling the streamingof video content extant within the memory of said PND.
 13. The PND ofclaim 1, wherein the user input device is embodied in the graphicaldisplay, which is a touch sensitive touch screen.
 14. The portablenavigation device of claim 13, wherein the establishment of the wirelesscommunication with the third party device, and enablement of the one ormore routines specific to the third party device and other nodes on thecontroller area network is achieved by the user interacting with menuitems shown on the touch screen.
 15. A PND according to claim 1, whereina software routine within the PND receives signals from a managementsystem being a node on the controller area network, said routine causingthe periodic or snapshot storage of one or more parametersrepresentative of at least one of vehicle operation and user controlthereof.
 16. A PND according to claim 15 wherein the management systemis a vehicle engine management system and the one or parameters storedby the routine are engine operating characteristics.
 17. A PND accordingto claim 1, wherein the routine stores data that uniquely identifies thevehicle.
 18. A PND according to claim 17, wherein the routine causes thewireless transmission of stored data for at least one of road pricing,toll road access, and congestion zone access.
 19. A PND according toclaim 1, wherein a routine is capable of upgrading the operatingsoftware of one of the nodes which together make up the controller areanetwork.
 20. A PND according to claim 1, wherein the one or moreroutines utilizes the functionality of one or more of the nodes, andreceives information therefrom, such being passed to the routecalculation function of the PND to provide enhancement therefor.
 21. APND according to claim 20, wherein the information is one or more of:relevant to a possible new destinations; related to an engine warning;related to engine diagnostic information; related to gyro/speed pulseinformation, optionally used in a dead reckoning software routineprovided as part of at least one of the route calculation and navigationfunctions of said PND; related to outside air or road temperature;indicative that the vehicle has a major fault and a routine is providedwithin the PND causes the user to be advised at least one of visibly andaudibly that re-routing to a garage is appropriate; and indicative thatthe external temperature is below a defined threshold and the PNDincludes a routine to cause on of (a) recalculation of an estimation oftravel time on account of lower speed of travel, (b) recalculation ofthe route to avoid potentially icy roads, and (c) the wirelesstransmission of ambient temperature a remote server. 22-30. (canceled)31. A PND according to claim 1, wherein a routine is provided whichinteracts with the route calculation and navigation functions of the PNDto determine when the PND is within a threshold distance of a homelocation, and wherein said routine communicates, over said wirelesscommunication, with a remote control device being a node on saidcontroller area network within the vehicle to cause operation thereofthereby issuing a wireless signal to appropriate equipment disposed atsaid home location to cause operation thereof. 32.-33. (canceled)
 34. APND according to claim 1, wherein a user profile routine is provided inthe PND to interact with a module capable of storing one or moreuser—specific settings and being a node on the controller area network,the interaction being such that selection of a particular user profilestored in one of the PND and the vehicle user settings module causes oneor more of the various settings stored in the profiles on both the PNDand the user settings module to be applied.
 35. A PND according to claim34, wherein one or more of the following apply: a setting in the usersettings module profile of the vehicle is a seat position memoryfunction; the module is a biometric user identification function capableof identifying particular users; he module is a key or key fobrecognition module; the module is a code entry module; one of usersettings in a profile stored in the PND defines a particular map colorscheme; one of user settings in a profile stored in the PND defines aparticular navigation guidance voice; one of user settings in a profilestored in the PND defines a particular welcome greeting; one of usersettings in a profile stored in the PND defines a particular set ofuser-defined favorite destinations; and the last active user profile isautomatically loaded by the device on start-up. 36.-43. (canceled)